The Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders at the NFL trade deadline, sending a third-round pick to Las Vegas. The move instantly reshapes the Raiders' quarterback room: 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza has been promoted to first-string starter for Week 10.
With the promotion, Mendoza is now the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at DraftKings Sportsbook, listed at +300 odds. He leads a group that includes Cleveland Browns receivers Denzel Boston (+500) and KC Concepcion (+650), Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman (+600), Tennessee Titans receiver Carnell Tate (+600), Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (+1800), and Miami Dolphins receiver Caleb Douglas (+1800).
Mendoza has completed just 6 of 8 passes for 48 yards so far this season, but Raiders general manager John Spytek praised his preparation: "This is something that he's worked very hard for since the moment he's walked into this building. He passed every test. ... He put us in a position where we had to make a very hard decision today with his growth as a person, as a teammate, as a leader, as a quarterback."
Challenges Ahead
Mendoza's first career start comes against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, making him the first No. 1 overall pick quarterback in NFL history to debut against the reigning champions, per CBS Sports Research. He also faces the NFL's No. 1 defense, a situation not seen since Vinny Testaverde in 1987.
The schedule remains daunting: Week 11 brings a road game against the Denver Broncos, who rank top five in sacks and are on a five-game win streak. In Week 12, the Cleveland Browns have gone 54 straight games without allowing a 300-yard passer, tied for the longest such streak in the past 40 seasons.
Head coach Klint Kubiak expressed confidence: "He's prepared. He practices extremely well, and his work habits also allowed us to make this trade because we feel that he's ready to go. And we're excited for him to take the ball for the game here this Sunday."
